Criminal Justice (Corrections)

passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2335: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of aggravated criminal trespass to include trespassing that results in the disruption of a religious assembly, which is a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2335 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to specifically include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a punishable offense. It directly affects individuals who enter or remain on property without consent and disrupt religious gatherings, such as protests or services inside a place of worship. The key provision adds a new subsection (D) to the trespass definition, stating that disrupting a religious assembly while on the property constitutes aggravated criminal trespass. This change elevates the offense to a Class A misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to 11 months in jail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding disruption of religious assemblies to aggravated trespass, increasing penalties for protest-related activities without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2428: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2428 raises the penalty for assaulting a first responder (including law enforcement officers) in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The bill mandates a $10,000 fine and a minimum 60-day jail sentence for such offenses, with no early release during the mandatory period. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal law) and Title 40 (criminal justice), effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects individuals convicted of assaulting first responders by increasing the severity of penalties for these crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory penalties for assaulting first responders, raising offense to felony with higher fines and longer mandatory jail time, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2467: Probation and Parole - As introduced, permits a trial judge to revoke a defendant's probation for a felony or misdemeanor based on one instance of technical violation; extends the permitted terms of incarceration a court may impose for a technical violation to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second revocation, and the remainder of the sentence for a third or subsequent revocation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 2467 changes Tennessee's probation revocation rules for technical violations (like missing meetings or failing drug tests, not new crimes). It allows judges to revoke probation after just one technical violation and sets specific incarceration limits: up to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second, and the full remaining sentence for third or more revocations. The bill requires judges to use a "preponderance of evidence" standard (not beyond reasonable doubt) for these decisions. This directly affects individuals on probation for felony or misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee who breach non-criminal probation terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases probation revocations for minor technical violations with lower evidence standard, extending incarceration terms - restricts defendant rights and moves away from rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2369: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises present law that authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to enforce compliance with the Tennessee Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act or intervene as a matter of right in a case in which the constitutionality of such act is challenged. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2369 increases the monthly supervision fee for defendants under court supervision from $10 to $15. It also requires municipalities to pay autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state covers them. Additionally, the bill reclassifies illegal possession of communication devices in prisons as a Class E felony (previously a fine-only offense). These changes directly affect defendants paying fees, municipalities managing autopsy costs, and inmates facing new felony charges for prison device violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases defendant supervision fees and reclassifies prison communication device possession as a felony (previously fine-only), increasing penalties and financial burdens. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2285: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2285 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving split sentences (part jail time, part probation). It increases the maximum continuous jail time from one year to three years for such sentences, while requiring the state to cover all incarceration costs after the first year. This directly affects criminal defendants sentenced under these terms, particularly those serving split sentences in local jails or workhouses. The law amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory continuous jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, expanding incarceration duration. State covers costs after first year but does not reduce sentence length, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 2663: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2663 modifies Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving split sentences (part jail time, part probation). It extends the mandatory continuous jail time from one year to three years for such cases, and requires the state to cover all incarceration costs after the first year. This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who are sentenced to split confinement and probation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, directly expanding punitive sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2147: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the Class C misdemeanor offense of knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over the grounds of a school. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 49.

HB 2147 creates a new Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) over school property in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-903 to add this specific prohibition as a new subdivision (a)(7), making it a separate violation from other criminal offenses. This law directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who fly near schools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and classifies this violation as a Class C misdemeanor (typically punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class C misdemeanor for drone operation over schools, expanding criminalization without reform context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2582: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2582 modifies Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving split sentences (part jail, part probation). It increases the mandatory continuous jail time from one to three years for such sentences and requires the state to cover all incarceration costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306(a) and 40-35-314(a) to implement these changes. This directly affects individuals sentenced under split confinement terms who would previously have served less time in jail. The policy change shifts state responsibility for long-term incarceration costs beyond the initial year.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory continuous jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, expanding incarceration without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2618: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

HB 2618 increases penalties for assaulting first responders (like police and EMTs) in Tennessee, reclassifying it from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The bill mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence with no early release for these offenses, effective July 1, 2026. It also separately increases penalties for assaults against nurses to a Class A misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum sentence. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of assaulting these specific professions by imposing stricter financial and incarceration requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates felony penalties with mandatory minimums for assaulting first responders, increasing criminalization and restricting defendant rights through no early release.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2619: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2619 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving a split sentence (part jail time, part probation). It increases the required continuous jail time from one year to three years for such cases, and specifies that the state must cover all jail costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314 to implement these changes. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee who are sentenced to split confinement and probation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, reducing judicial discretion and defendant rights per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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